Protesters rally as MPs debate abortion in NSW

Protesters for and against abortion have rallied outside the New South Wales parliament.

Protesters outside NSW parliament. Picture: AFPSource:AFP

The New South Wales Health Minister has urged his colleagues to back a bill decriminalising abortion in the state to “right a wrong” enacted in law more than 100 years ago.

Brad Hazzard kicked off debate on the bill in the state’s parliament today. It would allow for pregnancies to be terminated up until 22 weeks, and allow for abortions later than that with the approval of two doctors.

The bill is co-sponsored by 15 MPs spanning all sides of politics. Mr Hazzard, who is one of those sponsors, said it was an important and overdue reform of a law enacted when all legislators were men.

He said it was disturbing that the framework for abortion was still found in the state’s Crimes Act.

“I ask all honourable members whether it is acceptable — whether it’s conscionable — that in making this major life decision, women and their doctors have to do so with the threat of being charged with a criminal offence,” he said.

Coalition and Labor MPs are being given a conscience vote on the bill, which has the support of Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Transport Minister Andrew Constance and opposition treasury spokesman Walt Secord, among many others.